Are you looking for a good mystery story you can't put down? Shannon Whitmore recommends the new novel by Fiorella De Maria.
Missing, Presumed Lost: A Father Gabriel Mystery
by Fiorella De Maria
Published by Ignatius Press
Uncover the clues together with Father Gabriel
I have always loved a good mystery, and Missing, Presumed Lost, the most recent Father Gabriel novel did not disappoint. Fiorella De Maria is a wonderful storyteller, and she does an incredible job of weaving together a mystery that you can solve right along with Father Gabriel. As you uncover more clues and listen in on Father Gabriel’s interviews with suspects and witnesses, you can feel yourself being drawn ever closer to the truth. Add in a few unexpected turns, a desperate attempt to save the life of more than one character, and an intriguing back story for Father Gabriel, and you just can’t put this book down.
Father Gabriel is a complex character who struggles with his own personal history as well as his current situation as the resident sleuth. He enjoys putting his nose where it doesn’t belong and knows that this temptation might cause him trouble, but he can’t help but find himself wrapped up in mysteries that only he seems able to solve. Despite his attempts to avoid drama, it seems to be drawn to him.
A realistic picture of European postwar life
De Maria does a wonderful job of making the past present to the reader. Set in England in the years following World War II, Missing, Presumed Lost paints a realistic picture of what life was like in the years immediately following the end of the war. As people began to return to normalcy, they have not yet been able to completely let go of the suffering they endured. De Maria also explores the very human temptation to hide one’s secrets, as well as the equally human need to bring to light what has been hidden in darkness. If you are looking for a mystery that you won’t be able to put down until it’s finished, this is the book for you.
Ask for Missing, Presumed Lost at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from Amazon.com or the publisher, Ignatius Press.
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Copyright 2024 Shannon Whitmore
Images: (top) detail from cover; (bottom) Canva
About the Author
Shannon Whitmore
Shannon Whitmore currently lives in northwestern Virginia with her husband, Andrew, and their two children, John and Felicity. When she is not caring for her children, Shannon enjoys writing for her blog, Love in the Little Things, reading fiction, and working in youth ministry. She has experience serving in the areas of youth ministry, religious education, sacramental preparation, and marriage enrichment.
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